around the frame sept 2010 – our experiences

Frances,I relax and cast aside— From Scientific Healing Affirmations by Paramahansa YoganandaThe August ‘10 Ninepatch is so much about transitions — Caroline’s passing seems full of acceptance and grace. When my younger son’s Pre-K teacher died in an accident, I attended the one and only Catholic funeral I have been to.Hi Frances!Dear St. Anthony,
Look around. The good news is that during my search, many places I thought it could be have been cleaned and straightened. Woo boy!
? ? ? ? I read an article that said Americans have reached their saturation point in terms of information load. I believe it. With all the new widgets, “apps,” and software, keeping?up at work is crazy. (Not to mention my volunteer stuff.)
In three days I’ll have a couple of days off. I plan to do nothing for work or volunteering. I hope I can stick to my pledge.
Georgene

We rarely forget our first love, our introduction to bonding for life, a rare and delicate experience. It’s the reason so many older people seek their high school sweethearts (If they didn’t marry them.) when they lose their mates prematurely.

Gail

Gail(See also her poem in THREADS.) adds, “I will look forward to your threads-to-the- past story.”**

Dearest Francalina,

You are going through challenging times: Here is one of my favorite affirmations:

all mental burdens,

allowing God to express

through me

His perfect love, peace,

and wisdom.

The priest told us that this was the first funeral in which people linked hands across the aisles and around the church at the “passing of the peace.” It was very emotional. I also remember my four-year-old son asked me when his teacher was going to return to school!

I empathize with LindaSue’s journey with her husband and admire her for sticking with the marriage. I know that it is disheartening to return from a challenging day of work to find a couch potato lounging on the sofa, watching TV.

After the now-divorced father’s latest inability to meet with his son while we were visiting his city, I have vowed to never attempt to initiate a meeting with him again. I cannot get my mind around his behavior any more.

Blessings to you in the heart of Michigan, dear Frances.

Liz

Liz/Moascar**

(Aug.’10) adds, “Tomorrow I start work! By the way, readers may be interested to know that Moascar is the name of the town in Egypt where I was born.”

I read your June e- issue and I loved your “glimpse” where you described all the things awaiting closure in your office. I totally sympathize. My unfinished project list sometimes feels like it’s a mile long and never-ending. There are always things that need sewing or mending, things in the garden (weeding comes to mind), or some other activity like chores or home maintenance. Sometimes I feel like all the unfinished projects make it impossible to do anything truly creative or involved.

Yes, there are a few projects I could simply cross off my list and forget about, but many more are important to my and my family’s well-being. Oh, well! Could be worse!

Hope you had a great summer!

Christa

Christa**Dear Frances-
Losing things seems to happen more and more often. For three weeks I have stood and stared at my curio cabinet, like the RCA dog with its head cocked towards the Victrola. Each time I am trying to recall where I put my husband’s special gemstone. I moved it just before dashing out the door to go to work when I had window-cleaners coming. (No point in leaving something “nice” in plain sight. Not that it’s a valuable gem, but my husband has put lots of work into cutting and faceting it.)
St. Anthony — who helps find lost things — has had to listen to me say a lot:(June ’10) adds, “I was really moved by the story of you and your first love, Bob!”

My husband’s gem is lost

and must be found.

Georgene**(July’10) adds, “I found it — wrapped in tissue and tucked back in the ‘spare silverware’ drawer.? Of course now, I remember putting it there.? The days off were marvelous.? I’m rested and I think my memory has improved. (Ha-ha.)”

Dear Francesca,

When I wrote last I mentioned I was not overly sad after my husband’s passing. Well, that has changed. I’ll write about that next and hopefully, without a box of tissues. First, another matter.

Since my husband died over a month ago, several people have suggested that I seem to be “managing” or that I’ll soon be able to manage. My sister-in-law, who has been a widow for eight years, said she is managing. I find the word “manage” odd. Of course I’ll manage. What else would I do, crumble into a heap? (Continued next page.)

I expect to do a lot better than just manage. After a woman is divorced she doesn’t “just manage,” she moves on with her life. Sounds like people have low expectations for me. The very idea of “just managing” is depressing.

Love you,

Elaine

ElaineDear Frances, (Aug.’10) adds, “I made my first solo trip of more than a hundred miles to visit my son, who lives in this state. It was time to get used to some traveling. Now I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner.”

Thank you for the list of other Amish books and authors you know about. I will go to the library later today and see what they have or can get.

You said you didn’t like to read stories about people who have “ill intent.” I agree. The world is full of those who aren’t “nice.” I don’t need to read about it, too!

Our daughter and her family who live in our basement are celebrating this weekend. They are renting a motel room for the weekend. They’ll enjoy using the pool and have their friends over to “party.” At least it will be quiet here.

Some “entertainment” today is not entertaining. I am thought of as old-fashioned. I still enjoy writing letters and reading since we are no longer able to afford travel.

Love and prayers,

Linda Sue

LindaSueHi, Frances,(Aug.’10) adds, “You said you are blessed with a ‘Godly child’. I’m happy for you, especially in the world we have today.”

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I continue the roller coaster ride with my daughter. I paid two months rent for her. I helped out when she had a car accident and hurt her back. Okay.

I gave her my car to drive and am driving hers after putting $$ in it. Fine. (My own nicer car truly helps my daughter’s self-esteem.)

I got over my feelings of outrage at the whole situation and decided to get an additional part-time job to help with her bills. I wanted to do it.

Frances, I had just worked the ninety days necessary to qualify for a regular job’s bonus when they trained us on an “upgrade.” That’s when I found out they had changed a couple of things that were going to make me crazy.

I had worked fifty-five hours the previous week (and extra hours with training), handled accident problems for my daughter, and now this madness?

No way. I prayed and then said, “No, thank you.” to working on their new system. I lost the job and the bonus. But, first I secured a job with my old company. I told them I would work full-time and trained with them these last two days.

Can you believe it? Ninety days to stabilize with the new job, then everything crashed and here I go starting over again. I am happy to be back with medical transcription work.

Quite happy.

Shari

?Joni Mitchell advises the single woman to tell her man, ‘Crown and anchor me or let me sail away.’ A man does that for a woman, he crowns her and gives her grounding, something the female psyche can cash in on.”

?(June ’10) comments on Frances’ July letter, “One’s love — an anchor for the soul? In her song, ‘Blue,’

?

Shari

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Expediency and regret may share the same path.James(Aug.’10) says, “Shortcuts may not produce the intended results.”?